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Upgrading Computers.
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theoipod
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25. April 2006 @ 12:35 |
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The reason for which I was asking for you're email was that nobody else seemed to be communacating in the forum. So I found it simpler to communacate by email but I understand you're choice of not wanting to give you're address
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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25. April 2006 @ 12:42 |
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Nothing to do with me, I'd gladly give out my address, but it's just not in the forum gentleman's agreement. Anyhoo, is the Motherboard socket 754 or 939? If you don't know, download a program called CPUZ, that will give you your socket, and a load of other information you won't need.
If it's 754, you can't use a 3800 unless it's an early design. If it's 939, a Venice/San diego and even an X2 Manchester should plop in, provided you've enough power to run them.
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theoipod
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25. April 2006 @ 12:56 |
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thanks,
my socket is 754.Does thius mean that my computer isin't very good?
how do i change my socket.Can i?
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AfterDawn Addict
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25. April 2006 @ 13:06 |
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Quote:
Does thius mean that my computer isin't very good?
No, 754 is still a competent socket and you've a good processor so no, you're computer's fine. However, to upgrade to a better processor (i.e. dual core) you'll need a socket 939 motherboard, by replacing it.
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theoipod
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25. April 2006 @ 13:11 |
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do this mean replacing my whole motherboard?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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25. April 2006 @ 13:16 |
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Indeed it would.
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theoipod
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25. April 2006 @ 13:18 |
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are motherboards very expensive cause i didin't expect this
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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25. April 2006 @ 13:33 |
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Some are some aren't. It's better to get decent quality ones. About the best reasonably priced Socket 939 motherboard is the Asus A8N-E, at newegg for $91. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530
Of course, it's not imperative you up to 939 for a faster CPU. You can get a single core 3800+ on 754, but no dual cores, and I'd HIGHLY recommend these for a futureproof system.
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Senior Member
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25. April 2006 @ 13:34 |
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They can be found as low as $50 for older models (Which, if you look really well; is not ALWAYS a bad thing) and usually more around $100 for a good one; some are up to $200, but that's unusual with bells and whistles that aren't necessary. Things like extra temp monitoring, more raid, ide, pci, agp slots; etc. But you can get an excellent one for less than $120 usually.
More than the cost concern, is the amount of pain that goes into installing said new motherboard, etc... What a long mess that always is.
"Its not stupid, its advanced!" - The Almighty Tallest, Invader Zim |
AfterDawn Addict
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25. April 2006 @ 13:57 |
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It is a bit of a pain in the backside, and whilst older, cheaper models will suffice. The whole point of the process is to upgrade, so might as well do things right!
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theoipod
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26. April 2006 @ 02:37 |
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Thanks people,
So if i understand,I can't get a dual core because my mother board can't take it but i can get a single core 3800+ on 754.In that case will this be a big enough upgrade to be worth while?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 02:41 |
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I personally wouldn't bother. Depends if you really need a 25% performance boost. Best off going 939 methinks.
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theoipod
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26. April 2006 @ 02:48 |
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Maybe there is another way of boosting and making my computer better?
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theoipod
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26. April 2006 @ 03:11 |
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can i skip getting a new processeur or is that essential
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 08:17 |
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What exactly is it you want to do with your PC, just make it faster? If you do, then adding some extra RAM (provided you haven't loads of it already - 512MB to 1GB is a big improvement, 1GB to 2GB a smaller one), or changing your graphics card (again assuming what you have already isn't great) are both good, simpler options for upping your PC's power. Your processor is by most standards pretty good, so I wouldn't argue with it. Many a PC is sold today with a CPU slower than yours, so upping that isn't essential.
Some great graphics cards can be put in that system (provided they're AGP) all the way up to the X850XT Platinum Edition, and plenty of RAM will fit. This all of course assumes you've a competent Power supply.
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Senior Member
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26. April 2006 @ 09:23 |
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Graphics cards can be pricey for high models, very pricey. Ram is a GREAT way to upgrade. It will really help keep steady framerates even when more objects are on screen.
I don't want to get too much into tweaks here; because it's not really the place, but you may want to consider setting your virtual memory to a higher, locked in, amount; as it can really help a lot, on both performance, and fragmentation rates. When you don't control the size of the pagefile, windows keeps using system resources to change the size of it, using a lot of system resources and leaving all kinds of sloppy fragmentation all over your drive.
As for upgrades, upgrading to 1 or even 2 gb can make a HUGE difference. I've got 1, and I've been strongly considering 2 for that little extra performance boost. It's cheaper than a top of the line video card; and if video memory is an issue, you can upgrade your ram and set some of it for the AGP video aperture; not quite as fast, but very helpful. I use 256mb of my 1024 ram for additional video on my 256mb GeForce 5700LE. I can run BF2 very at 1280x1024 well in mid/high settings because of this, and UT2k4 at full settings in 1600x1200, although that one isn't really hard at all these days.
Bottom line, memory can really boost performance for multiple reasons. Tigerdirect and Newegg have excellent deals on that.
"Its not stupid, its advanced!" - The Almighty Tallest, Invader Zim |
AfterDawn Addict
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26. April 2006 @ 09:25 |
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lol I play it at 1920x1200, but fair enough. Upping to 1GB of RAM (if you only have 512) is the best value approach by far, but of course it's limited if your graphics card is slow.
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theoipod
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26. April 2006 @ 12:09 |
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thanks,a lot i'm going to buy a gig a ram.
samor as you know im also experiencing that problem with the message irql_not_less_or_equal
peoplme have told me that rtam will fix this,is this true
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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26. April 2006 @ 14:21 |
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Not usually. IRQL not less or equal tends to suggest something's gone wrong with your drivers, so check they're all up to date and not conflicting. It can happen, but that's not usually the BSOD you get if you have dodgy RAM.
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Senior Member
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27. April 2006 @ 10:04 |
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Make sure you get a good, reputable brand; this can have very adverse effects otherwise...
PNY, Kingston, just to name a couple. Make sure you have a lifetime warranty. There's no better way to buy.
(Errrr, when will this Newbie status go away, so I don't have the three minute rule?)
"Its not stupid, its advanced!" - The Almighty Tallest, Invader Zim |
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theoipod
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27. April 2006 @ 10:40 |
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how do i update my drivers and ow to i check if there is a bad confliction?
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AfterDawn Addict
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27. April 2006 @ 12:39 |
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Go on to the relevant manufacturers websites, look up your product whether it's graphics card, CD/DVD drive or input, and get their latest software.
Generally, conflicts will come up as yellow warnings in Hardware Manager. If there's a RAM problem, then brands I'd recommend as replacement are Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, PNY and Samsung.
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theoipod
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28. April 2006 @ 10:13 |
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thanks but to complicated for my computer knowlede
is there not a program i can download that will aoutomatically update my drivers?
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theoipod
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28. April 2006 @ 10:17 |
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thanks but to complicated for my computer knowlede
is there not a program i can download that will aoutomatically update my drivers?
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AfterDawn Addict
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28. April 2006 @ 11:09 |
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Not to my knowledge, you'll have to do it yourself. It's not hard, go to My computer, then hardware, then device manager. Tell us what you're CD/DVD drives appear as, and what your graphics and sound cards are and I'll try and find the appropriate websites to go to and save you some work.
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